WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Friday, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) spoke on the Senate floor to express support for his resolution to designate March 22, 2024, as the first-ever National Inland Waterways Workers Safety Awareness Day, according to a press release.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) joined Senator Manchin in introducing the resolution to honor and remember the life of Gabe White, a West Virginian who died in a barge accident in March 2023 at just 20 years old.
“Gabe’s death never should have happened. It was preventable, and we must acknowledge this,” Senator Manchin said in part. “Our resolution recognizes the need to continue to improve the safe transportation of domestic cargo, and above all else, to reduce transportation vessel and shipyard-related incidents, fatalities, and injuries so that another family like Gabe’s does not have to endure such a tragic loss.”
On the morning of March 22, 2023, Gabe White showed up to work in Follansbee, West Virginia. Gabe’s duties that day as a deckhand were to clean out the bottom of the barges when a tragic accident occurred.
Following an investigation, it was determined that no safety equipment was issued, Gabe was out of the line of sight of the crane operator, and no spotter was present.
The resolution recognizes the need for deckhands, engineers, masters, mates, shoreside workers, and other employees to remain safe while on the job site and highlights the importance of equipping them with the necessary knowledge and resources to perform their duties safely and effectively.
Additionally, the resolution applauds the efforts of the Coast Guard, American Waterways Operators, Maritime Trades Department, and other groups working to reduce workplace injuries and fatalities in and around towing vessels.
